Wednesday, 25 April 2007

It's amazing that after leaving primary school for almost three decades, there's a bunch of friends who are still in touch with each other very regularly. As we all approach or reach our big four-O this year, they have decided to attempt the feat of gathering the entire class together. Through the existing network of those already in contact, we hope to get all 44 of us. If six-degree separation is true, then we should be able to do this by 9 June 2007.

One of us has put together a fantastic little clip. Wooo ... what memories! Kim Keat Primary School, yes, all the boys had crew-cuts.

Sunday, 22 April 2007

Earlier this week, we had Bring Your Own Bag Day to encourage shoppers to use less plastic bags. Reusable bags were sold at participating supermarkets, mostly at $1 each, and so were plastic bags.

So, where do the extra revenue go to exactly? Guess I wasn't reading the small print at the shop. I cannot seem to locate much information on the web except for Ikea's, which will donate to the WWF Singapore Conservation Fund.

I was also amused that the BYOB Day was officially declared a success because the $1 reusable bags were snapped up within hours. Is that any indication at all? $1 is affordable for most (even though I am sure the cost price is much lesser). A more important issue seems to be how many will actually use these bags again. Unless I have set off for the supermarket intentionally, I am quite unlikely to bring a bag along. Besides, these reusable bags are not slim enough when folded to snugly go into a handbag or briefcase. Should this have been a vital consideration in the production of these bags?

With regards to plastic bags, what I really wish to have is an idea of how best to reuse or recycle the many that I have amassed. Besides using it for trash, what else? My mum has bartered such bags at the wet market for some chillies or lime. Will any supermarket consider something similar?

For now, I am thankful that I have found a way of folding it into these tiny triangles to make these bags more compact for storage.

Well, beg your pardon for rambling on. I am glad that at least we are finally making a start in becoming more aware of our part to use resources more wisely. Happy Earth Day!

Thursday, 19 April 2007

Just borrowed small is the new big by Seth Godin and am enjoying the read. This is a collection of some of his best blogs. These short little pieces are like fireworks as Seth says; good for adding a little spark to the day.

Recently, a report from researchers of the University of New South Wales called for the use of Powerpoint presentation to be ditched because our brains cannot read and listen well at the same time.

This of course refers to the most popular use of Powerpoint to have extensive chunks of text or lists of bullet points.

For some time now, some experts in making effective presentations have been saying that the most critical use of Powerpoint is the ability for us to use visuals to create impact. With digital photography becoming very accessible, the exploration of powerful images in communication and learning has been made so much easier.

On closer examination, is it not the person rather than the tool that makes all the difference?

Here's a first look at the likely place where Pauseability will be setup.

It is getting exciting as things get on track to create this place. As I have recently learnt in a course I attended, the creative process can be liken to an oceanic journey. Between departure and arrival, the experience of being out at sea can be unsettling as much as it is exciting. That's how I feel now, and learning also to enjoy the seabreeze as much as the storm and choppy seas in this journey.